Indigenous All Stars voting closes tonight

Rugby League fans have less than 24 hours to lodge their votes for the 2011 Indigenous All Stars, with polling closing at 11:59pm AEDT tonight. <br><br> Already, 10,000 fans have logged on to <a href="http://www.nrl.com/allstars">www.nrl.com/allstars</a> to have their say and there is still a chance for fans to be part of selecting one of the most exciting teams in Australian sport. <br><br> As one countdown nears its end, another begins with fans also able to take up the challenge of selecting the NRL All Stars side featuring at least one player from every NRL club, with stage one of voting commencing at midday AEDT today at <a href="http://www.nrl.com/allstars">www.nrl.com/allstars</a>. <br><br> The 2011 Indigenous All Stars, under the direction of coach Laurie Daley and with Preston Campbell at the helm, has the potential to include some of the biggest names in Rugby League and the 20-man squad that takes the field come February 12 will face a tough NRL All Stars side looking to redeem themselves after last year’s loss. <br><br> Once voting for the Indigenous All Stars closes tonight and the 16-publicly selected players are finalised, coach Laurie Daley will meet with members of the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council to select an additional three eligible players to join captain Preston Campbell in the 20-man squad. <br><br> “I’m really looking forward to seeing who the fans will select for the Indigenous All Stars, it’s an incredible field of names to choose from,” Daley said. <br><br> “I urge anyone who hasn’t already voted to get online today and have a say on who will be included in the side. <br><br> “This is a rare opportunity for fans to play the role of selectors and with a group of incredible athletes eligible for the team, the All Stars is set to once again be a match to remember.” <br><br> Voting for the first stage of the NRL All Stars side also gets underway today, at www.nrl.com/allstars from midday AEDT. <br><br> In this first round of voting, which continues through until December 28, fans will be asked to select two backs and two forwards from each of the 16 NRL clubs to form a shortlist of 64 players. <br><br> NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett will then indicate which positions he wants each of the 64 players to be considered for, as well as outlining the make-up of the bench positions. <br><br> In stage two of the NRL All Stars voting, the public will be given the challenge of selecting one player from each of the 16 NRL clubs. <br><br> The 16 players chosen by the fans will join Australian and New Zealand Test captains Darren Lockyer and Benji Marshall, with coach Wayne Bennett and the NRL All Stars coaching staff then selecting the remaining two players to form the 20-man squad. <br><br> <b>Overview of NRL All Stars voting:</b> <br>- The first player to be chosen in the NRL All Stars team will be the player who scores the highest number of overall votes in a position. <br>- Once a player from one club is placed in the team, no other player from that club can be chosen. <br>- If a player withdraws from the team due to injury, he will be replaced by someone from the bench. <br>- The open bench spot will then be replaced by someone from the injured player’s club, with the new player having recorded the second highest number of votes from that club, either as a forward, back or utility, depending on the position needed for the bench. <br><br> Rugby League fans are also being reminded to secure their tickets for the 2011 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars, with less than 6,000 tickets remaining. <br><br> Tickets are available through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or <a href="http://www.ticketek.com.au">www.ticketek.com.au</a>. New Zealand customers can call 0800 842 538 or +61 132 849. <br><br> <b>2011 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars Ticket Categories and Prices <br><br> Category Adult Concession Junior Family <br>Category 1 - Adult $95.00 Concession $75.00 Junior $65.00 Family $255.00 <br>Category 2 - Adult $60.00 Concession $45.00 Junior $35.00 Family $155.00 <br>Category 3 - Adult $30.00 Concession $25.00 Junior $20.00 Family $80.00</b>